Neutralized transistor amplifier



June 7, 1960 H. KORN, JR, ET AL 2,940,051

NEUTRALIZED TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIER Filed Aug. 17, 1955 INVENTORS Hugo Kom J)? BY Robe/f P Crow United States Patent 2,940,051 v NEUTRALIZED TRANSISTOR AMPLIFIER Hugo Korn, .Ir., Chicago, and Robert P. Crow, Park Ridge, 11]., assignors to Motorola, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 17, 1955, Ser. No. 528,959

6 Claims. (Cl. 330-47) The present invention relates to transistor amplifiers, and more particularly to an improved transistor amplifier of the neutralized type.

The grounded emitter transistor amplifier has been found to exhibit negative input resistance at its base electrode under certain conditions due to positive feedback so that the amplifier tends to a condition of instability and oscillation. Also, the current gain cutcfi frequency of the transistor amplifier is afiected by such feedback within the semiconductor. In the grounded base and in the grounded emitter transistor amplifiers, for example, the base resistance of the transistor normally produces positive feedback at the lower signal frequencies which gives rise to instability and limited bandwidth response as well as a tendency toward oscillation, as noted above. This feedback, however, has a tendency to shift in phase at the higher signal frequencies, and this reduces the effective current gain cutoff frequency of the transistor appreciably. It is, therefore, most desirable to neutralize this feedback in the transistor amplifier so as to improve, among other things, its stability and to increase its current gain cutoif frequency. V

It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide an improved neutralized transistor amplifier having relatively high stability and a relatively high current gain cutoff frequency, as compared with transistor amplifiers in general.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and stable neutralized transistor amplifier that is economical in its construction and in which neutralization is achieved by a of additional components or circuit elements and by a negligible consumption of signal power.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a neutralized transistoramplifier in which neutralization is simply and eifectively obtained by connecting the circuit as a bridge, which bridge is efiectively balanced insofar as feedback currents are concerned.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a transistor amplifier in which neutralization may be realized by the use of the bias resistors and impedance elements essential for the amplifier circuit so as to entail a minimum of additional components.

The above and other features of the invention which are believed to be new are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and adavantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an equivalent circuit of a usual groundedemitter transistor amplifier;

Figs. 2 and 3 are equivalent circuits of a transistor amplifier neutralized in accordance with the invention; and

Figs. 4-7 are difierent circuit embodiments of the neutralized transistor amplifier of the invention.

The invention provides a transistor amplifier which 2,940,051 7 Patented June 7, 1960 includes a transistor having a base electrode, a collector electrode and an emitter electrode, and which transistor exhibits internal resistance between a node point and each of the electrodes. An input circuit is connected between the base and emitter electrodes. A first impedance means and a load circuit are series connected between the collector electrode and the emitter electrode. And a second impedance means is connected from the common junction of the load circuit and the first impedance means to the base electrode, the first and second impedance means forming a bridge network with the respective internal resistances between the node and the base and emitter electrodes and having selected values to balance the bridge and neutralize the amplifier.

The circuit of Fig. 1 represents a grounded emitter type of transistor amplifier. The transistor itself has an internal node point N and exhibits emitter resistance (r between this node and a point of reference potential or ground. The input signal source is represented by the generator (V having internal resistance (R The input signal from this source is impressed between the base electrode and ground, and the transistor exhibits base resistance (r,,) between this electrode and the node point N. The source of feedback ctn'rent is represented by the generator (r i where (i is the emitter current and (r,,,) is the forward transfer impedance of the transistor. This latter generator is connected in series with the load impedance (R between the collector electrode and ground. The transistor exhibits collector resistance (r between the node point N and the collector.

As shown in Fig. l, the circuit resolves itself into two loops 1 and 2, with the input current (i,) flowing in loop 1 and with the output current (i flowing in loop 2. The problem is to neutralize the effect of the current (i in loop 1 so that the input impedance is a function only of the base and emitter resistances and is unaffected by the output current. A

In loop 2 m e== 2( o+ e+ L) 1 e When:

i --emitter current And Therefore j (ma*r.+r.+ Rr-r... (3) Now the input impedancem l b+ill o+ 2 c (4) s+n+ :j

The bracketted term of Equation 5 is due to the elfect of (i,) on loop 1. To neutralize the effect of (i in loop 1, a current is introduced into that loop which is proportional to (i,) but which is of opposite phase so as to neutralize the (i voltage drop, and make the input impedance equal (r +r That is, for satisfactory neutralization, no voltage should exist across points A-A due to generator (r i Fig. 2 shows a grounded emitter amplifier similar tothat of Fig. 1, and with the addition of a neutralizing circuit connected in accordance with the invention to neutralize the effect of the output current (i in loop t '(R 1 r) and (Rh) tio'rm a feedback loop which is designated as loop sand innhish th ieedh cli 91 As shown in Fig. 3, the circuit configuration of'Fig. 2

collector electrode of transistor through resistor-16 tuned circuit 15. The source also supplies a lower negative biasing potential to' the base electrode of the transistor through the potentiometer 12, 33 and winding 32. The bias on the'emitteris controlled by the resistor 35; and in this manner a stable unidirectional ftralizedlcondition suchas noted .in conjunction with Fig.

1.7 Inother words,,;the loop -3 provides acurrent through rgequalandzopposite to theicurrent (i so as toineutralize theefiectof (gig) ontheinput circuit.

-., A- practicaliembodiment :oi theinvention s shown Fig. 14; This embodiment includes ;a transistor 10-Whose emitterjs connected :to a;pointtof, ref erence potential or round; iOne-of the input :termin fls of the circuit connected to the :basetelectrode of transistor 1!), ;an d {the other -;inputf;terminal is connected to g ound; [[he base is: connected ithrougli a. resistor 12 to tonelterminal pf a Launidirectionalbiasing potential source 13,,,the :other I terin'inalxof :this source being sg q uded and the source being bypassed .for alternating currents by a capacitor L4. The collector electrode of transistor 10 is connected to :alterminal ;of source :13 through .a parallel-resonant with the network. .The parallel resonant-network includes ;-an inductance coil 17 shunted --hy..a 9apacitor,18:

minals'represents -.thelrloadw impedanoeQRQl- :The base electrode isialso connected to "the junction of network 15 ;and; resistor 16' through a blocking capacitor 22 and 2 a;resistor23.. e i

Resistor. 16 constitutes neutralizing resistor (B and resistor/23 constitutes ,themeutralizingresistorHQ);

Resistor 12 a biasingresistor. vAsjnzthe previous cin networkls'andzthrough aresistorI6{connected;in;series biasing position is established en the transistor in a manner known to the art. Neutralization is provided a l 49 tha i hem i d sc i c u Fig.4 by virtue of the resistors 16 and 23.

At "the higher frequencies an internal capacity C (shown dotted in Fig. '1) produces ;a low impedance feedback path and preventsthegbridge of Figf'S from being balanced. ,Ihe effect-or apacity can be balanced for high freguency neutralization by capacitor 37. The balancing efiect of capacitor 37 on capacity C is shown in Fig. 3, capacitor 37 having such a value that the unbalancing efiect of capacity C on the bridge is compen atedr c rcuits *E s- =6. issne ll to h c Fig; 5, and like elements have been indiqatedzby like numerals; ;I n:.the circuit of Figeio a saving in com ponentstis ;rea hzed1hy using the bias elements for new traliaation 111 the embodimentot Fig. 6, the emitter onne ed to amend hr u h 11 es 35 wh h Lie mutua ty-pas e ,I Qon3m9u,-i t n ip u i mete z es t rs 1: 5 4 5 s =9PQ9td d e o t b e electrode; and resistor ,33 is u'nby-passedi Thelowerside o w nd n 32 ssa ats tb he m t r h h ret r emit e l'ra' hef t a t o si 1a .th c r t o ig. .6, 'Q I"-35: l W motions a the f edback re is blocking ap; or ,a ndlthe'c pa i r fl i 'r 'rued eteedba k r ists; ,tls haasl as is s: 33, 'f s i s V .1: .B asia t s mer-i an h 'a- Eit Q 1ih9 b id e au asensnt --s ,Fi i orovided lhy the two tresi g siin ro uinnstioa th the Z nt na emitter resist n e and b se e a c 9 e base and emitter resistances of transistor 10, and zthese'.

' resistors are chosen so that the bridge is balanced and. the amplifieris neutralizedg" 1" V A constructed embodiment of the circuit OfJFi 4 gave '28 decibels gain atQ60-kilocyeles with a collector current of 0.4 milliamperes. The following values were used in the circuit, and theserare listed herein merely by a way of example and'are not intended to limit ,thficil yen tion in any way: 7 t

- Resistor 19 1-..- ;li; ;ohms 50,000

Resistor23 N do 1,300 Resistor 12 'd'o i 200,000 Resistor 1 6 do 1,000 Capacitor '18 L micromicrofarads 330 Capacitor 22 microfarads 0.1 Capacitor 14 .micrornicrofarads 2,000 Source 13 .volts- -4,"and like elements have been designated bylilge numerals. In the circuit ofFiglQS, the input terminals 7 transistor. It ,can alsorbeseen that this circuit p s; insofar as vafeszsi ae n t a izat sn pi rn dfii em' ,cuits,i1:es'istors 16iandli23 zform a bridge with thednternal 7 that of Fig. 5 only in that the T9u nd1c0n9eqi9p has-been :omitter to the junction resist rs :35; and.33- lTh t; i omrh il i t rl io v (is) and (Br) :10 the jun tion of (Re) ai -s it ifal- :Iherethe circuit operates in the described manner ofthe "flowering-neutralization;inthe circuitiof E g.: 1s: achieved withoutf'ilthe in e :fo additiona co pone Resistor 3.3 continues rto :fimeti n in co jun o w th resisto t iformliatpotemiemetertorsupp r g b tozthe:base;electrode ofthelra-n i mr, 35 still functions as a bias resistor fortthe omitter.

Fig; 7 iszsiinilar :tothe-:embodmj .T. V -eIfiiQ P team like components have been indicated bv like numerals.

. In.-the:circuit;of;Fig. .7 the apacitor 37;- isdispensedwith, and :aiica aeitor 250 ;,c oup1ed betwe V cu es; and sh .l, g, 1 t 4.5 l The circuit of Fig 5 is generally similar to that of lfl areconnecte'd to the primary winding 30 of a' trans-t former '31. The secondary winding 32 of transformer 31 has-tone side connected to thebase electrode of transistor 10.1 The bias resistor 12 is connected 7 with a further resistor' 33 as a potentiometer across source :13, and the common junction of resi'stors'l2 and 33 is con'- n'ectedto-the other side of secondary'wiiiding 3 2. 1%-

' sist'or oars by-passed for alternating currents by a capacitor-34. ,The emitter electrode or transistor 10',-iii

t stead of'being directlyzconnected to ground, is connected "thereto through a biasing resistor 35 shunted bya cainductance coil 20 in theim ip l GiIClli .Cap'acitor 50:- feedsnutput energy hack .tothe-h see trode in-ithe.-.proper phase-'toneutraliz the efiee f (is): across "the internal iemitteryresistance (r That is, :I hB. network: of capacitor 5.0 .constitutes 28B ext rna c r ui which duplicates the feedback-pathofithe internal emitterresistanee (r5). The network ofi;capacitor50;achieyes thesamere'sult as the bridge arrangement o th -embod mentsioieFig'se4; 5 and-16 .iandfthe result is acomposite circuit which provides :efiective neutralization, over a wide rangeofjrequencies.- i T Tlieinventionprovideaitherefore, an improved-transis- 'tor amplifier that'can be etr'ectivelyineutralized by a otadditionali circuiticomponent-s, :and which pacitor 36. Thecol-lector electrodefis coupledto'ground} 1 V t-hroughta capacitor-'37. I

' a ne er e tiie e eai rtQthe components utilize a minimumbrncgligiblesan ountlof thesignal power. neutralization causesrtheamplifier -;to eiihibit' alihigh degreeof stability tat -theilower temperature and also tends to increase the current gain cutoff frequency-favorably, 'Moreover, this neutralization is eiiective :in -reducing- -the :e'iiective :output capacitanee of the grounded emitter amplifier thereby enabling transistors with high current gain amplification factor to be used without adversely afiecting or mistuning the tuned output circuit.

We claim:

1. A transistor amplifier including in combination, a transistor having a base electrode, a collector electrode and an emitter electrode, said transistor exhibiting respective internal resistances between a node point and each of said electrodes; means connecting said emitter electrode to a point of reference potential; an input circuit connected to said base electrode; a load circuit connected to said collector electrode; first resistance means connecting said load circuit to a unidirectional biasing potential source; a circuit including second resistance means coupling the common junction of said load circuit and said first resistance means to said base electrode; a potentiometer connected across the biasing potential source; and means coupling a point on said potentiometer to said input circuit for biasing said base electrode; said first and second resistance means forming a bridge network with the respective internal resistances between said node and said base and emitter electrodes and having selected values to balance said bridge and neutralize the amplifier.

2. The transistor amplifier defined in claim 1 which includes capacitor means connected between said collector electrode and said point of reference potential.

3. A transistor amplifier including in combination, a transistor having a base electrode, a collector electrode and an emitter electrode, said transistor exhibiting respective internal resistances between a node point and each of said electrodes; impedance means connecting said emitter electrode to a point of reference potential; an input circuit connected between said base electrode and said emitter electrode; a load circuit connected to said collector electrode and to a source of unidirectional biasing potential; a potentiometer including first and second resistance means connected across the biasing potential source; and means connecting the common junction of said first and second resistance means to said base electrode, said impedance means and said first and second resistance means forming a bridge network with the respective internal resistances between said node and said base and emitter electrodes and having selected values for signal frequencies such that the ratio of the internal resistance from said emitter electrode to the node point to the internal resistance fi'om said base electrode to the node point substantially equals the ratio of said impedance means to the impedance of the common junction of said first and second resistance means to the reference point.

4. A transistor amplifier including in combination, a transistor having a base electrode, a collector electrode and an emitter electrode, said transistor exhibiting respective internal resistances between a node point and each of said electrodes; at first min-bypassed biasing resistor connecting said emitter electrode to a point of reference potential; an input circuit connected between said base electrode and said emitter electrode; a load circuit connected to said collector electrode and to a source of unidirectional biasing potential; at potentiometer including a second resistor means connected across the biasing potential source; and means connecting said second resistor means to said base electrode for biasing the same, said first resistor and said second resistor means forming a bridge network with the respective internal resistances between said node and said base and emitter electrodes and having selected values for signal frequencies such that the ratio of the internal resistance from said emitter electrode to the node point to the internal resistance from said base electrode to the node point substantially equals the ratio of said first biasing resistor to the impedance provided by said potentiometer from said base electrode to the source of biasing potential.

5. The transistor amplifier defined in claim 4 which includes a capacitor connected between said collector and emitter electrodes for neutralizing internal capacity in said transistor between said base electrode and said collector electrode.

6. The transistor amplifier defined in claim 4 in which said load circuit includes a parallel-resonant network with an inductance coil coupled thereto, and which amplifier includes a neutralizing capacitor connected between said inductance coil and said base electrode for neutralizing said transistor throughout a given range of signal frequencies.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,663,766 Meacham Dec. 22, 1953 2,694,113 Meacham Nov. 9, 1954 2,776,372 Ensink et a1. Jan. 1, 1957 2,790,033 Keiper Apr. 23, 1957 2,794,076 Shea May 28, 1957 

